OF 



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TION 



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Copyright !\ _ 



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COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



£77 



^THE ABC 



OF 



AUCTION BRIDGE 

New Revised Edition 



BY 

G. EDWARD ATHERTON 

h 

OF THE 

Philadelphia Racquet Club 



Including the Laws of Auction 
as Adopted by 

The Whist Club of New York 



Philadelphia : 
DAVID McKAY, Publisher 
604-608 South Washington Square 
00 p\^ 



t 



(*\W 



.A? 



Copyright, 1912, by David McKay 



Copyright, 1913, by David McKay 



Copyright 19 16, by David McKay 



■0, 






: 17 1916 ' 



)CI.A481893 ^ 



n^D: 



CONTENTS 



PAGE 

Introduction 5 

"New Count" 9 

How to Score at Auction . . . 10 

The Laws . . . . . . . 13 

The Revoke. . . . . . 14 

Important Changes Made in 1915 15 

Spade Value 16 

Cutting 16 

Increase of Slam Values 16 

Bidding 16 

Winning the Rubber 17 

Cards Not to be Examined During Deal 17 

Penalty for Bids Out of Turn 17 

Dummy's Right Regarding Revoke 19 

Changing a Declaration 19 

The Declarations .................. 20 

Doubling . 36 

The Dealer 41 

Third Hand 49 

Second Hand. 54 

Fourth Hand 59 

Summary of the Bidding 60 

Scoring ....................................... 61 

The Penalty for Common Offences 64 

3 



4 Contents 

PAGE 

Tbe Laws of Auction Bridge as Adopted by the 

Whist Club... 67 

The Rubber 67 

Scoring .... . . 67 

Cutting 71 

Forming Tables 71 

Cutting Out 72 

Right of Entry 73 

The Deal. ............................... 75 

A New Deal .............. 76 

The Declaration 79 

Doubling and Redoubling ........ . 85 

Cards Exposed Before Play. ............... 89 

Cards Exposed During Play. ........ . . 90 

Leads Out of Turn 94 

Cards Played in Error. 95 

The Revoke 97 

General Laws 101 

New Cards ............ ................ 102 

Bystanders 103 

Etiquette oi Auction 104 



INTRODUCTION 



The popularity of Auction Bridge prom- 
ises to be as rapid and as complete as was 
that of the parent game — Bridge proper. 
Just as the superior attractions of the 
latter over the sober interests of Whist 
were at once recognized, so are the greater 
possibilities of the new variant claiming 
adherents among those who prefer excite- 
ment to science in their recreations. And 
it must be admitted, although as a con- 
firmed Bridge enthusiast I grieve to have 
to concede the point, Auction offers far 
greater scope for individual enterprise 
than its older rival, and for a time at 
least its fascination promises to be irre- 
sistible. 

For one thing, it appeals to the gambling 
instinct. It is a clever combination of 
5 



6 Introduction 

Bridge, Solo Whist, and Poker, and calls 
for the qualities which make for success 
in all three games. The stereotyped 
Bridge-player would be at as great a dis- 
advantage without a thorough knowledge 
of the intricacies of Auction as would a 
Poker player who did not know Bridge. 
Given each an equal proficiency, and the 
player with the Poker temperament will 
have the upper hand. 

I shall, however, for the sake of brevity, 
take it for granted that readers of this 
little volume are acquainted with the laws 
and play of ordinary Bridge. Those who 
are not can gain the requisite information 
from any of the hundred and one excellent 
Bridge manuals. But does there exist a 
card-player in this year of grace who does 
not understand Bridge? If so, he must be 
in too small a minority to deserve special 
consideration. We will, therefore, start 
with the assumption that we are all suffi- 
ciently students of Bridge to be able to 



Introduction 7 

appreciate the distinctions between the 
two games. 

And here let it be said that the con- 
firmed Bridge-player will have as much 
to unlearn as to learn in acquiring the 
principles of Auction Bridge. For in- 
stance, what can be more difficult to grasp 
than the fact that the calling of "No 
Trumps" entails no greater risk than a 
suit declaration? Again, that calling to 
the score loses its significance, as the op- 
position cannot win the game on a de- 
feated call, or that, as a rule, it is more 
profitable to defeat an opponent's call 
than to win the game? The whole point 
of view is changed, and the more in- 
grained are the fundamental principles 
of ordinary Bridge, the greater will be the 
confusion of the player until he shall be- 
come imbued with the reckless optimism 
essential to Auction Bridge, but fatal to 
its predecessor. 



A B C OF AUCTION BRIDGE 



"NEW COUNT' 

When " Auction" first began to take the 
place of "Bridge" in popularity, the same 
count as to the valuation of the different 
suits was used, namely: Spades, 2; Clubs, 
4; Diamonds, 6; Hearts, 8, and No Trumps, 
12. But as Auction became more and more 
played it was realized that the competition 
in the bidding with the above valuation 
for the different suits would not do, and 
after many experiments the following 
count — namely: Clubs, 6; Diamonds, 7; 
Hearts, 8; Spades, 9; and No Trumps, 10 — 
was adopted by the Whist Club of New 
York in the summer of 191 5, and is now 
being used by all the leading players and 
clubs in this country and abroad. 

Under this system of counting it can 
be seen that each suit declaration has now 
9 



io A B C of Auction Bridge 

an aggressive value and is capable of mak- 
ing game. This, of course, was not true 
under the original count as used in Auction 
Bridge, where the Club bid could only be 
used to give indication of strength in that 
suit in the event of his partner wishing to 
make it No Trump. 

HOW TO SCORE AT AUCTION 
Since the changing of value of the tricks 
by the "New Count" there has been some 
confusion among beginners as to the value 
of the honors, also what points should be 
scored in the trick and honor column. 
For these players I have added the follow- 
ing table, "How to Score at Auction 
Bridge," giving in a condensed form what 
points should be scored in the trick col- 
umn and what points should be scored in 
the honor column. This differs from the 
old system of scoring above and below the 
line. (See p. 62.) 



A B C of Auction Bridge 



ii 



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A B C of Auction Bridge 







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A B C of Auction Bridge 13 

THE LAWS 

I shall first set forward, as briefly as 
possible, the laws of the game, always, of 
course, taking for granted that my readers 
are Bridge players. The game and the 
rubber are the same in both cases — thirty 
points in the trick column, and the best 
of three games constitutes the rubber. 
Honors and grand and little slam are 
scored in the honor column. The differ- 
ence lies in the scoring of points made 
against the declarer. These are invari- 
ably scored in the honor column and 
are counted at the end of the rubber. 
They have no bearing upon the game. 
Only the tricks won by the declarer are 
scored in the trick column. Every trick 
below the number the declarer has con- 
tracted to make counts 50 points for the 
opposition, no matter in what suit or call 
it may be. Thus the failure to make one 
odd trick in any suit is as expensive as 



14 A B C of Auction Bridge 

another, or No Trumps. The penalty is 
uniform. 

To the score of the side winning the 
rubber is added 250 points in the honor 
column. The laws as to shuffling, cutting, 
and dealing are the same; also those apply- 
ing to exposed cards and cards liable to be 
called as played in error. 

THE REVOKE 

There are differences, however, in the 
penalty for a revoke. When a revoke 
against the declarer is claimed, his ad- 
versaries score 100 points in the honor 
column in addition to the amount of the 
undertricks by which the declarer has 
failed to carry out his contract. In the 
case of the adversaries revoking, the de- 
clarer may add 100 points in the honor 
column, or he may add three tricks to 
those he has taken, if, for instance, he 
should need them to complete his con- 
tract. In neither case is the penalty 



A B C of Auction Bridge 15 

increased by a double or redouble, nor is 
the bonus for a double or redouble (see 
later) to be taken. 

When more than one revoke is made 
during the play of the hand, the penalty 
for each revoke after the first is 100 points 
in the honor column. The revoking side 
cannot score except for honors in trumps. 

IMPORTANT CHANGES MADE IN 
1915 

In 191 5 a number of important changes 
have gone into effect, with the idea of 
making the game as uniform among the 
players all over the country as possible, 
and a committee appointed by the Whist 
Club of New York tried to ascertain the 
wishes of the majority, with the result 
that some three thousand ballots were 
taken and carefully tabulated and the 
following changes decided upon, viz.: 



1 6 A B C of Auction Bridge 

SPADE VALUE 
The dual value of the Spade has been 
eliminated and the Spade bid has one 
and only one value; namely, nine (9). 

CUTTING 

In cutting, the Spade now becomes the 
lowest instead of the highest card. 

INCREASE OF SLAM VALUES 

Grand Slam counts 100 points, and 
Little Slam, 50 points. 

BIDDING 

The order in value of declarations from 
the lowest up is Clubs, Diamonds, Hearts, 
Spades, and No Trumps. To overcall a 
declaration a player must bid either (1) 
an equal number of tricks of a more valu- 
able declaration, or (2) a greater number 
of tricks. 



A B C of Auction Bridge 17 

WINNING THE RUBBER 

The side winning the greatest number of 
points wins the rubber regardless which 
side scores the 250 points bonus for winning 
the two games out of three. 

CARDS NOT TO BE EXAMINED 
DURING DEAL 

A player may not lift from the table 
and look at any of his cards during the 
deal. The penalty for the violation of 
this law is 25 points in the honor score of 
the adversaries for each card examined. 

PENALTY FOR BIDS OUT OF TURN 

If a player make a declaration (except 
passing) out of turn either adversary may 
(1) demand a new deal; (2) may treat such 
declaration as void; (3) may allow the 
declaration to stand. In the last case the 
bidding may continue as though the 



1 8 ABC of Auction Bridge 

bidding had been in turn. A pass out of 
turn or a bid declared void does not effect 
the order of bidding; that is, it is still the 
turn of the player to the left of the De- 
clarer to continue to bid. The player who 
has bid out of turn may re-enter the bidding 
when his turn comes again without penalty. 
But when he has passed out of turn may 
only re-enter the bidding in case the dec- 
laration he has passed be overbid or 
doubled. 

If a declaration out of turn be made 
and the proper Declarer then bid, he, the 
proper Declarer, indicates that the bid out 
of turn be treated as null and void. 

These changes in the rules of "bidding 
out of turn" gives the proper Declarer the 
right which he undoubtedly should have 
of bidding in his own turn, and he does 
not suffer in consequence of another's 
mistake. 



A B C of Auction Bridge 19 

DUMMY'S RIGHT REGARDING 
REVOKE 

Heretofore the dummy by leaving the 
table has suffered by his partner, the final 
Declarer, revoking. He is now protected 
by his asking his adversaries when leaving 
the table that the "courtesies due an 
absentee be recognized." Should the 
Dummy make this request, his opponents 
cannot claim a revoke made by the De- 
clarer during his absence unless the De- 
clarer has denied the question made by 
the adversaries which the Dummy would 
have made had he been present, such as, 
"No Diamonds, partner?" 

CHANGING A DECLARATION 
A pass or a double once made may not 
be changed. No declaration may be 
changed after the next player acts. A 
declaration, however, may be changed 
before the action of the next player in two 
and only two instances, namely: 



20 A B C of Auction Bridge 

(i) To correct an insufficient bid. 

(2) To correct the denomination but 
not the size of a bid in which a suit or a 
No Trump has been called which the 
Declarer did not intend to name. 

THE DECLARATIONS 

Before coming to the all-important 
question of the declaration, wherein lies 
the whole art of Auction as distinguished 
from ordinary Bridge, it may be as well to 
set forth the progressive calls as they take 
precedence over each other, always bear- 
ing in mind the fact that a declaration to 
take a greater number of tricks takes 
precedence over a previous declaration 
regardless of the point value, for example, 
3 Clubs =18 takes the declaration away 
from 2 No Trumps = 20, and 4 Clubs = 24 
takes the declaration away from 3 Spades 
= 27, etc. This is one of the new rules 
made by a vote of a majority of the best 
Auction players of the country, and was 



A B C of Auction Bridge 21 

made not only to increase the bidding, 
but also to avoid the thought so frequently 
expressed aloud by the unthinking players 
when the point value of the declaration 
had to be increased by the next declarer of 
something like this, "Let me see, you bid 
two No Trumps counting 20. Three Clubs 
would only count 18 and I would have to 
bid Four Clubs, so I pass." 

To avoid any confusion it may be men- 
tioned that the contract to make the 
odd trick in any Suit or No Trump means 
the odd or seven tricks, two tricks bid 
means two odd or eight tricks, etc. 

A book is six tricks. 

Eliminating the pass as being purely de- 
fensive, the following list of progressive 
calls may be found useful: 



22 A B C of Auction Bridge 

CLUBS 



2 


Clubs 


= 12 


beat 1 Diamond 


= 7- 


2 


" 


= 12 


a 


i Heart 


= 8. 


2 


u 


= 12 


a 


1 Spade 


= 9- 


2 


a 


= 12 


a 


1 No Trump 


= 10. 


3 


a 


= 18 


tt 


2 Diamonds 


= 14. 


3 


a 


= 18 


it 


2 Hearts 


= 16. 


3 


a 


= 18 


a 


2 Spades 


= 18. 


3 


it 


= 18 


" 


2 No Trumps 


= 20. 


4 


tt 


= 24 


it 


3 Diamonds 


= 21. 


4 


tt 


= 24 


" 


3 Hearts 


= 24. 


4 


a 


= 24 


it 


3 Spades 


= 27. 


4 


tt 


= 24 


it 


3 No Trumps 


= 30- 


5 


a 


= 30 


a 


4 Diamonds 


= 28. 


5 


a 


= 30 


a 


4 Hearts 


= 32. 


5 


it 


= 30 


a 


4 Spades 


= 36. 


5 


a 


= 30 


a 


4 No Trumps 


= 40. 


6 


tt 


= 36 


tt 


5 Diamonds 


- 35- 


6 


a 


= 36 


a 


5 Hearts 


= 40. 


6 


a 


= 36 


a 


5 Spades 


= 45- 


6 


a 


= 36 


a 


5 No Trumps 


= 5o. 


7 


it 


= 42 


a 


6 Diamonds 


= 42. 


7 


tt 


= 42 


" 


6 Hearts 


= 48. 


7 


tt 


= 42 


tt 


6 Spades 


= 54. 


7 


tt 


= 42 


a 


6 No Trumps 


= 60. 



A B C of Auction Bridge 



23 



DIAMONDS 



1 Diamond 


= 


7 beats 1 Club = 6 


2 Diamonds 


= 


14 beat 2 Clubs =12 


2 




= 


14 ' 


' 1 Heart = 8 


2 ' 




= 


14 ' 


' 1 Spade = 9 


2 




= 


14 ' 


' 1 No Trump = 10 


3 




= 


21 ' 


1 3 Clubs = 18 


3 




= 


21 ' 


1 2 Hearts =16 


3 




= 


21 ' 


' 2 Spades =18 


3 




= 


21 ' 


' 2 No Trumps =20 


4 




= 


28 ' 


1 4 Clubs = 24 


4 




= 


28 ' 


' 3 Hearts = 24 


4 




= 


28 ' 


' 3 Spades =27 


4 




= 


28 ' 


' 3 No Trumps = 30 


5 




= 


35 ' 


' 5 Clubs = 30 


5 




= 


35 ' 


1 4 Hearts = 32 


5 




= 


35 ' 


1 4 Spades =36 


5 




= 


35 ' 


' 4 No Trumps = 40 


6 




= 


42 ' 


' 6 Clubs = 36 


6 




= 


42 ' 


' 5 Hearts = 40 


6 




= 


42 ' 


1 5 Spades = 45 


6 




= 


42 ' 


1 5 No Trumps = 50 


7 




= 


49 ' 


4 7 Clubs = 42 


7 




= 


49 ' 


' 6 Hearts = 48 


7 




= 


49 ' 


c 6 Spades = 54 


7 




= 


49 ' 


4 6 No Trumps = 60. 



24 



A B C of Auction Bridge 









HEARTS 


i Heart 


= 


8 beats i Club = 6. 


i " 


= 


8 ' 


' 1 Diamond = 7. 


2 Hearts 


= 


1 6 beat 2 Clubs =12. 


2 i 




= 


16 ' 


' 2 Diamonds = 14. 


2 l 




= 


16 ' 


' 1 Spade = 0. 


2 ' 




= 


16 ' 


' 1 No Trump =10. 


3 ' 




= 


24 ' 


' 3 Clubs =18. 


3 ' 




= 


24 ' 


' 3 Diamonds = 21. 


3 ' 




= 


24 ' 


' 2 Spades =18. 


3 ' 




= 


24 ' 


' 2 No Trumps = 20. 


4 ' 




= 


32 ' 


' 4 Clubs = 24. 


4 ' 




= 


32 ' 


' 4 Diamonds = 28. 


4 ,€ 




= 


32 ' 


' 3 Spades = 27. 


4 ' 




= 


32 ' 


' 3 No Trumps = 30. 


5 ' 




= 


40 ' 


' 5 Clubs =30. 


5 ' 




= 


40 ' 


' 5 Diamonds =35. 


5 ' 




= 


40 ' 


' 4 Spades = 36. 


5 ' 




= 


40 ' 


' 4 No Trumps = 40. 


6 c 




= 


48 ' 


' 6 Clubs = 36. 


6 ' 




= 


48 ' 


' 6 Diamonds =42 


6 ' 




= 


48 < 


' 5 Spades = 45 


6 < 




= 


48 < 


' 5 No Trumps = 50. 


7 ' 




= 


56 ' 


i 7 Clubs = 42. 


7 ' 




= 


56 ' 


' 7 Diamonds = 4Q. 


7 ' 




= 


56 ' 


' 6 Spades = 54. 


7 ' 


< 


= 


56 ' 


' 6 No Trumps = 60. 



A B C of Auction Bridge 



25 



SPADES 

i Spade = 9 beats i Club = 

i " = 9 " i Diamond — 

i Heart = 
2 Spades = 18 beat 2 Clubs 

2 Diamonds = 

2 Hearts 

1 No Trump = 

3 Clubs = 1 
3 Diamonds = 

3 Hearts 

2 No Trumps = 

4 Clubs = 24 
4 Diamonds = 28 
4 Hearts 



= 9 
= 9 
= 9 

= i£ 
= 18 

= 18 
= 18 



= 27 
= 27 
= 27 
= 27 
= 36 
= 36 
= 36 
= 36 
= 45 
= 45 
= 45 
= 45 
= 54 
= 54 
= 54 
= 54 
= 63 
= 63 
= 63 
= 63 



6 

7 

8 

= 12 

14 
= 16 

10 
18 
21 

= 24, 

20, 



= 32 

3 No Trumps = 30 
5 Clubs =30, 

5 Diamonds = 
5 Hearts 



35 
= 40, 
4 No Trumps = 40, 
6 Clubs =36, 

6 Diamonds = 
6 Hearts 



42 
= 48- 
5 No Trumps =50. 
7 Clubs = 42 

7 Diamonds = 
7 Hearts 



49 
= 56. 
6 No Trumps = 60, 



26 A B C of Auction Bridge 

NO TRUMP 

A bid of One No Trump beats the bid of One of any 
suit; Two No Trump beats the bid of Two of any suit, 
etc. 

The deal in Auction does not carry with 
it the advantage of the deal at Bridge. 
The dealer has to make a compulsory call; 
he cannot leave the obligation to his part- 
ner. Neither is the play of the two hands 
assured to him as in ordinary Bridge. 
Either of his adversaries or his partner 
may become the declarer by calling above 
him. It is true that he has the right of the 
final call after everyone else has been satis- 
fied, but, as we shall see, the odds against 
his being able to avail himself of this 
privilege are such as to render it only an 
occasional benefit. 

Having to start the running, however, 
his policy, for reasons given later, should 
be aggressive, if possible. Where the 
hands are about evenly divided in strength, 



A B C of Auction Bridge 27 

the advantage to the side playing the hand 
is about one trick. Therefore it is per- 
missible to make a No Trump consider- 
ably lighter than would "be safe at Bridge. 
Failing the nucleus of a No Trump, the 
dealer should name his strong suit— if it 
has the higher honors. By bidding a suit 
of this nature his partner knows what he 
can count on, if he has a fair hand himself, 
and it frequently happens that third hand 
has a good No Trump make if he knows 
that "his weak suit is protected in his part- 
ner's hand. Moreover, if the dealer's 
named suit is especially strong, he can 
overbid his partner's No Trump at slight 
cost, if it should seem advisable. 

Without a possible No Trump, or a really 
strong suit, the dealer should pass. This 
does not necessarily correspond to the Yar- 
borough original make at Bridge. It 
merely says to the partner, "I cannot make 
it No Trump, and have no especially strong 
suit — my strength, if any, is scattered." 



28 A B C of Auction Bridge 

So, with "I pass" from dealer, second 
player can bid or pass, etc. A double re- 
opens the bidding (see later). For in- 
stance, if, say, a call of "Two Hearts," has 
been doubled, the declarer of that con- 
tract can amend it to "Two Spades" or 
"Two No Trumps," and so on. And this 
he can do, if expedient, without any fear 
of increasing the penalty for failure, for 
the loss is the same in both instances — 50 
points for every trick under the contract 
and scored in the honor column. Failure 
does not affect the game, and therefore he 
may take wider liberties in this direction 
than at ordinary Bridge. We will give an 
illustration. 

Let us suppose that one of the players 
has been forced to call "Two Hearts" on 
doubtful strength. The declaration is 
doubled and he stands to lose 100 points 
for every trick below the number he has 
undertaken to make. Whereas if he raises 
his call to "Two No Trumps," and it is 



A B C of Auction Bridge 29 

not doubled, he at least halves his loss per 
trick. 

Occasionally "I pass" is a useful call when 
dealer has a certain No Trump hand, with 
strength in all four suits. If "One No 
Trump" or "Two Hearts" has been called 
over him, he is in a safe position to call 
"Two No Trumps," and in the possible 
case of being doubled, can then redouble, 
by this means perhaps forcing the oppo- 
sition to call beyond their strength, as ex- 
plained above, when the dealer in turn can 
double with every chance of defeating the 
declaration. For it must be understood 
that the winning of the game is not the only 
object of Auction Bridge. The heavy 
scoring is done in the honor column by de- 
feating one's adversaries. 

With moderate strength in three or 
more suits, however, an initial call of 
"One No Trump" can be recommended. 
The dealer is not likely to be left to make 
it or to be doubled, and so he at once 



30 A B C of Auction Bridge 

forces up the bidding to "Two Clubs" at 
least, and gives his partner some idea of 
the kind of hand he holds. Thus, if the 
latter has strength in one of the red suits 
or "Spades/' he can contract to make two 
in it, so going a step higher. 

The dealer should never make an initial 
suit declaration without pronounced 
strength in it and the possession of the 
head cards. Aces and Kings are of far 
greater importance than in ordinary Bridge. 
At all times the first declarer should be 
careful not to deceive his partner. If he 
possesses, however, overwhelming strength 
in one of the suits and nothing else, it will 
be better for him to commence with a call 
of two tricks in it. It can do no harm and 
will be at least a guide to his partner. 

From these remarks it will be seen that 
far more strategy goes to the making of an 
original declaration in Auction than in 
ordinary Bridge. The dealer does not 
necessarily set out to secure the play of 



A B C of Auction Bridge 31 

the two hands or to win the game. Failure 
may be so much more expensive than the 
advantage of fulfilling a contract that his 
policy is rather to foster the sporting in- 
stincts of his adversaries than to take 
risks himself. "Bluff" enters consider- 
ably into the essence of the game, but it 
may prove expensive when carried too far 
with players who can draw sound deduc- 
tions. On the other hand, it is often ad- 
visable to incur certain small losses in the 
honor column in order to keep the game 
open, with the hope of retrieving it in sub- 
sequent deals. The loss of the dealer's ad- 
vantage makes this possible at any time. 

Let us proceed on the supposition that 
the dealer has made "One No Trump." 

Now second hand is in some difficulty. 
He has gained no certain knowledge re- 
garding the nature of dealer's cards and 
none whatever about his partner's. If he 
makes a rash call, he may be promptly 
doubled, and then he or his partner may be 



32 A B C of Auction Bridge 

constrained to declare higher in order to 
get out of a dangerous situation. If, how- 
ever, he possesses good strength in one of 
the suits and high cards in the other suits, 
what, in fact, would be otherwise a moder- 
ate No Trumper, then a two-odd trick call 
in it is advisable. Although, if he bids 
two of a suit and is short of a suit of higher 
declaration, for example, he bids "Two 
Clubs" or "Diamonds" and is short of 
"Hearts" or "Spades," he reopens the 
bidding for the dealer's partner or the 
dealer. This may result in game, whereas, 
if he lets the one "No Trump" stand, with 
his strength he would probably save the 
game and might defeat the declaration. 
The bidding will have reached an interest- 
ing stage. 

Failing such strength, second hand 
should leave things to his partner, who, 
possessing unusual strength, may prefer to 
leave the dealer in with a "One No Trump" 
call on the tolerable certainty of being able 



A B C of Auction Bridge 33 

to beat it. To double this call would be a 
tactical error, as one of the other side would 
probably take refuge in two of a suit. 
If this is the object of the opposition, then 
the first double would be justified. The 
whole strategy of the game is to entice 
the other side into a risky declaration and 
then to defeat it. The higher the stage of 
bidding reached, the greater becomes the 
value of top cards in any of the suits. 
Say, for instance, one of the players has 
been driven to "Three Hearts." He has 
undertaken to make nine tricks. The 
adversaries have only to secure five and 
the declaration fails. 

In supporting a partner's call, it is essen- 
tial to grasp his motive for making it. Is 
it a voluntary one from strength or a com- 
pulsory one to evade a tight corner? Let 
me give an illustration: "I. pass" has come 
from dealer. Second hand declares "One 
Heart." His only reason for doing so can 
be genuine strength in hearts. Hence if 



34 A B C of Auction Bridge 

third hand tops it with "One No Trump.," 
fourth hand, holding, say, one trick in 
hearts and two other tricks, or good gen- 
eral strength, may with safety say "Two 
Hearts." 

Information afforded by the different 
declarations is most valuable and should 
be treasured up. It is as essential to note 
what has not been called as what has been 
called. And it is in this connection that 
the importance of following the score comes 
in. For instance, if your opponents, with 
their score at 1 6 or 1 8 in the rubber game, 
passed your partner's "One No Trump" 
declaration, the inference would be that 
they were weak in one of the other suits 
that would take them out with a two-trick 
call. One of them would certainly have 
overcalled if he saw any chance of victory. 
Again, suppose that the bidding had been 
raised to "Three Clubs" by one of the 
adversaries, and, instead of doubling, your 
partner branches into "Three No Trumps," 



A B C of Auction Bridge 35 

is it not safe to infer that "Clubs" is his 
weak spot? The instances may be multi- 
plied, and will suggest themselves to the 
intelligent player. More direct informa- 
tion can, of course, be drawn from what has 
been called. Say your partner has gone 
"Two Diamonds"; possessing nothing in 
that suit yourself, but strength in the other 
suits, you are at once encouraged to raise 
the declaration to "Two No Trumps." If 
such a call came from the other side, the 
information would, in the same way, sug- 
gest caution. 

On the subject of raising your partner's 
call, there is one point to be noted. It is 
the original caller of the suit that plays 
the hand. Thus, if your partner should 
say, "One Heart," and is overcalled by 
"One No Trump," if you are able to sup- 
port him by "Two Hearts," which is 
passed, you become dummy, although your 
declaration is higher. 



36 A B C of Auction Bridge 

DOUBLING 

Doubling in Auction differs in several 
respects from ordinary Bridge. In both 
cases only the score is affected. But in 
Auction the bidding is reopened by a 
double or redouble, and a doubled "Two 
Diamonds" would give place to the higher 
call of "Two Hearts." A call can only be 
doubled or redoubled once. A player may 
redouble a double of his partner's declara- 
tion, but he may not double it. If the 
final declarer's contract has been doubled, 
and he shall succeed in carrying it out, he is 
entitled to add a bonus of 50 points to his 
honor score, and a further 50 points for 
every trick he shall make above the stipu- 
lated number. The value of the trick is 
also doubled and redoubled. Again, if 
the declarer or his partner redouble their 
opponent's double, they are entitled to 100 
points in the honor column for making their 
contract and 100 points for each additional 
trick. 



A B C of Auction Bridge .37 

When the opposing side has doubled and 
defeated a call they score 100 points in the 
honor column for every trick under the 
number which the declarer has undertaken 
to make, i. e., suppose the call has been 
"Two No Trumps doubled" and the player 
only makes five tricks, his adversaries score 
300 points. In the case of a redouble they 
receive 200 points for every undertrick. 
But the adversaries of a defeated call do 
not score in trick column. 

Doubling plays such an essential part 
in Auction Bridge that I will add a few 
general remarks under this heading before 
passing to the general play of the game. 
For one thing, it is the most potent factor 
in forcing the opposing hands to call above 
their capacity. The loss in the honor 
column on a doubled contract when de- 
feated is so heavy that most players will be 
tempted to bluff, in order to avoid it. As 
the liability is not increased by losing in a 
higher declaration, this policy is more often 



38 A B C of Auction Bridge 

than not justifiable. Thus a player, hav- 
ing called two of a suit and been doubled, 
may find it expedient to rise to "Two No 
Trumps/' especially if he knows his part- 
ner has strength in one of the other suits. 
On the other hand, if he is again doubled, 
he is in no worse position as regards his 
losses. 

The loophole afforded by the right to 
call again makes it advisable not to double 
too soon, as it gives your opponent an op- 
portunity of taking himself out with a 
higher declaration that you cannot defeat. 
The proper course, as I have said before, 
is to try to force the declaration higher by 
calling something else, for to double a one- 
trick make on trumps alone, without out- 
side strength, is an error in the majority 
of cases. 

The more favorable position for doubling 
is when you are on the right of the declarer, 
as, sitting over his partner, you deprive the 
latter of the chance of changing his suit. 



A B C of Auction Bridge 39 

Of course, if you wish the suit changed, 
the reverse policy holds good. The state 
of the game must always be a consideration 
in doubling. In addition to piling up your 
score in the honor column, your object is 
to keep the game open, and so to double 
"Two Hearts," "Two Spades," or "Two 
No Trumps" at love all in the rubber game 
is not so justifiable as when the adversaries' 
score is well advanced. If they just fulfil 
their contract they go out on the doubled 
call, whereas, if left alone, they would fall 
short of the game. If, however, the mak- 
ing of the contract will take them out any 
way, the loss is not so significant, unless 
(and this point must be borne in mind) 
you lay yourself open to a redouble, in 
which case your position is a very bad one, 
unless you can then take yourself out by 
making a still higher declaration without 
the danger of losing too much if your op- 
ponents in turn double you. One must 
always bear in mind the fact that your op- 



40 A B C of Auction Bridge 

ponents are trying to do the same thing 
that you are, namely: To make the rubber 
as large as possible by adding to the honor 
score. The higher the call, the better the 
chance of defeating it. 

Finally, it cannot be impressed too 
clearly upon the beginner that a confident 
and premature double nearly always de- 
feats its object. The opponents take fright 
and turn to something else. With the 
certainty of defeating a declaration it is 
better to simply pass it and be satisfied with 
the 50 points per under trick. To double a 
weak call holding invincible strength in it 
is a blunder. Only when the strength of 
a hand would justify a double of a higher 
call in another suit, or in a "No Trumper," 
should it be attempted. 

I shall now take each of the four hands 
separately, and, for the sake of emphasis, 
elaborate the advice already given. 



A B C of Auction Bridge 41 

THE DEALER 

In the early stages of Auction the posi- 
tion of the dealer was considered a disad- 
vantage. He was forced to make some 
declaration, no matter what cards he held. 
And this situation undoubtedly had its 
drawbacks until the establishment of the 
rule allowing the dealer to pass. 

It has now been generally admitted that, 
on an even score, the bidding is a rush for 
the first "No Trump" declaration. As the 
dealer has the first opportunity to gain this 
advantage, his position is now accepted as 
the most desirable. The dealer should de- 
clare one No Trump on a very much 
lighter hand than would warrant that 
declaration at Bridge, for several reasons: 
(1) The adversaries can never score toward 
their game if he plays the hand. (2) It 
costs no more to go down in this, the most 
valuable declaration, than in, say, one 
club. (3) It forces a two-trick bid from 



42 A B C of Auction Bridge 

the adversaries. He can then either pass 
and try to defeat their bid, or, aided by the 
valuable information given by the bid, in- 
crease his own make. (4) One No Trump 
is seldom doubled — the solid suit which 
must inevitably defeat it must be called, 
which, of course, affords an opportunity 
for escape. If the adverse declaration 
is Clubs or Diamonds, there is the strong 
possibility that the third hand will take a 
weak make out with two of a suit, and even 
if he does not, only 50 a trick is lost, because 
second in hand, with a long suit, cannot 
double for fear of warning the maker off 
into a two-suit declaration. (5) His part- 
ner can always shift the make to two of suit 
if it seems advisable. 

Therefore, the dealer, without the nucleus 
of a No Trump, should declare one in suit 
in which he holds, say, Ace, King, or King, 
Queen, and others, as an indication to his 
partner that third hand need not fear that 
suit in the play of his own "No Trump." 



A B C of Auction Bridge 43 

Failing a strong suit, however — and by 
this is meant a suit holding the higher 
honors — the dealer should pass. By "pass- 
ing" the dealer tries to give his part- 
ner the fullest information possible as to 
his hand, but it does not necessarily indi- 
cate by any means that he has a "Yar- 
borough" (no card higher than a nine 
spot). He may have an Ace, King, and 
one or two other high cards of different 
suits, but not quite enough strength to 
make a suit declaration or a No Trump, 
and by "passing" he says to his partner, 
"My hand is not strong enough to make a 
declaration, and the strength in it, if any, 
is scattered." 

Of course, he may have a long suit 
headed by a weak honor which, from the 
information he receives by the bidding, he 
may declare later. 

A suit should never be named on the 
first bid, however, which contains no 



44 A B C of Auction Bridge 

higher honor than the Queen, no matter 
what its length. 

As we have seen, a No Trump declara- 
tion can be made on a more slender founda- 
tion than in ordinary Bridge, so that if he 
holds moderate cards in three suits, "One 
No Trump" offers little risk and is not 
likely to be doubled. It forces the oppo- 
sition, moreover, up to a minimum of 
"Two Clubs"; and if third hand possesses 
strength in only the suit that is named, 
he may then support the dealer with 
"Two No Trumps." 

The "Two Club" contract comes round 
in turn to the dealer; the inference now is 
that his partner has no pronounced strength 
of any kind. Let us consider the kind of 
hand he himself is holding: Clubs, Queen 
and two small ones; Hearts, Ace, King, 
and two others; Diamonds, Queen, ten, and 
another; Spades, King and two others. 
Hands of this kind can be multiplied ac- 
cording to the ingenuity of the reader, but 



A B C of Auction Bridge 45 

it may be taken as typical of a weak No 
Trumper. To undertake to make two 
tricks in Hearts or No Trumps on it is no 
light matter. The dealer should, there- 
fore, be guided by the score. If it is 
"Love all," he should be advised to pass, 
but if the adversaries are in a position to 
win the game, and maybe the rubber, by 
fulfilling their contract, then a little bluff is 
permissible. "Two No Trumps" should 
be his next call. It will impress the op- 
position and will make them cautious about 
doubling. The probability is that the 
dealer will be left with the call, and may 
find little or no support from Dummy, but 
he will at least have kept the game open. 

An "Auction" player should trust to 
his luck to a certain extent, but not to the 
exclusion of his judgment or common sense. 

But, holding such a hand as the above, a 
first call of "One No Trump" has much 
to recommend it, as at once forcing the 
adversaries' declaration up to a point be- 



46 A B C of Auction Bridge 

fore either of them has been able to make 
any disclosures to the other. 

Occasionally, having a cast-iron No 
Trumper, you should "lie low," and use it 
for forcing the other side into a rash under- 
taking which can be doubled. Having a 
strong trump, some sound players advocate 
beginning at once with it, on the ground 
that it is a guide to third player. When 
your strength in two suits is equal — say you 
have five of each and nothing else — it is 
better to call the lower of the two, i. e., 
Diamonds in preference to Hearts. If you 
are doubled in Diamonds, you have a way 
of escape through the Hearts without in- 
creasing your contract. 

The original bid of "Three Clubs" or 
"Three Diamonds" is very valuable, as it 
gives the information to your partner that 
you are long in one of those suits and have 
the three top honors (Ace, King, Queen), 
and that if he has the other suits stopped, as 
the lead comes up to him, he can go to 



A B C of Auction Bridge 47 

" Three No Trumps/' for you tell him that 
you have probably six tricks in the suit 
declared. With the above-mentioned hand 
of six tricks in Clubs or Diamonds headed 
by the Ace, King, Queen, and a side Ace, it 
is generally advisable to bid "Two No 
Trumps, " for you probably have seven sure 
tricks in your hand, and by bidding "Two 
No Trumps" you intimidate your oppo- 
nents and prevent their bidding Hearts or 
Spades to the extent of three. 

By bidding "Three Hearts" or "Three 
Spades" the declarer tells his partner that 
he wishes to play the hand at one of these 
declarations and with any assistance from 
his partner he is, in all probability, strong 
enough to make game, and should be let 
alone or helped later, if necessary, in that 
declaration. 

Do not let the fascination of piling up 
your score in the honor column make you 
altogether blind to the advantage of the 
rubber. It is true that there is more to be 



48 A B C of Auction Bridge 

made by defeating your opponents than by 
fulfilling your own contract. Still, there 
are many occasions when it is more profit- 
able to make the rubber than to leave 
your adversaries in on the probable chance 
of their having to present you with 50 or 
100 points in honors. Hence, if. you are in 
an easy position to win the rubber, I say 
go for a moral certainty. It is true that 
you may have an equal chance in the next 
deal, but then it is just as likely not to 
present itself, and you may have sacrificed 
a substantial score in the trick column in 
order to secure a third of the amount in 
honors. On the same principle, it is some- 
times cheaper to let the opposition make 
the rubber on a safe declaration than to 
hazard a hopeless overcall, which is likely 
to be doubled. There are players who in- 
sist that the game should be kept open at 
any cost, but the theory, correct enough up 
to a certain point, can be carried too far. 
A first call of "One No Trump" is some- 



A B C of Auction Bridge 49 

times expedient with moderate strength, 
but more as a guide to third hand and to 
force up adversaries' declaration than with 
any expectation of being left to make it. 
For the same reason, he may begin with 
"Two Clubs" if his sole strength lies in this 
suit. Dealer should not leave the opposi- 
tion with a call which will give them game 
or rubber if he can possibly avoid it, but 
he must not be too foolhardy in this direc- 
tion. 

We will now consider the policy of deal- 
er's partner. 

THIRD HAND 

After hearing the bids of the first two 
players, the bid of the third hand is gener- 
ally merely an application of his common 
sense. A pass from the dealer, passed by 
second in Imnd, should be a clear warning 
that the strength is probably divided be- 
tween himself and the fourth in hand; 
therefore, without an exceptionally strong 



50 A B C of Auction Bridge 

hand, or a state of the score which warrants 
some rashness, he should be 'very cautious 
about making an expensive bid without 
some means of escape. In this situation 
second in hand is apt to have more strength 
than the dealer, and a double may be dis- 
astrous. 

If the dealer has made " One No Trump," 
and has been overcalled by a two bid, third 
hand should not help the No Trump with- 
out sure stoppers in his adversaries' make 
unless he holds remarkable strength out- 
side. It is frequently better, holding a 
good hand in another suit of higher value, 
to overbid his opponent in that suit, leav- 
ing it to the dealer to decide, after receiving 
this information, whether it is advisable to 
carry on his No Trump. 

It is a common error of beginners to help 
the dealer's one-trick bid in a suit, holding 
four trumps to a low honor and nothing else. 
This is dangerous. The dealer is entitled 
to expect at least one sure trick in the 



A B C of Auction Bridge 51 

dummy, consequently you should hold a 
minimum of two tricks before increasing 
the make, and those tricks should be pref- 
erably in side cards, as these are essential 
to fulfilling an eight- or nine-trick contract. 

To overcall lightly on a suit is still more 
indefensible. For instance, third hand, hav- 
ing five small diamonds to the knave and 
little else of value, calls one of that suit 
first round. Fourth player rises to "One 
Heart." Dealer, having no diamonds him- 
self, but three probable tricks in other suits, 
risks "Two Diamonds." It is doubled and 
defeated. The dealer was not to blame. 
He rightly inferred that his partner had the 
command in the trump suit. 

There is no such objection to an overcall 
of "One No Trump" on the part of third 
hand. Indeed, it is to be recommended on 
very light strength. Nevertheless there 
should be the foundation of a No Trumper. 
The advantage lies in its persuasive influ- 
ence upon the opposition. Eight tricks in 



52 A B C of Auction Bridge 

one of the suits is the lowest undertaking 
that has precedence over it. Then, if not 
overcalled, it is no more expensive to lose 
than any other declaration, and, moreover, 
offers the best chance of success on mod- 
erate cards. 

To the beginner I would say, never hesi- 
tate to overcall your partner's declaration. 
I have seen so many opportunities lost by 
this mistaken caution. Because the dealer 
has gone "One No Trump/' that is no rea- 
son why you should not raise it to two in 
another suit if you see a probability of 
making eight tricks. You have at once 
told him the character of your hand, and if 
he cannot see his way, with this assistance, 
to "Two No Trumps," then you have re- 
lieved him of a very doubtful contract. 
Again, one of the adversaries may be lured 
into a risky call which one of you may be 
able to double. This last consideration is 
the most important inducement of all. In 
the same way, with divided strength, third 



A B C of Auction Bridge 53 

hand should call "One No Trump" over 
partner's suit declaration. Or, if Hearts is 
his suit, he should call it over a Diamond 
declaration; but if dealer proceeds with his 
Diamond contract, third hand should then 
take it as an indication of confidence, and 
should not bid over it again. An original 
call of "Two Clubs" or "Two Diamonds" 
should mean an invitation to third hand 
to call "Two No Trumps," with the knowl- 
edge that one suit at least is thoroughly 
protected. 

In bidding against the opposition more 
care will have to be exercised. For in- 
stance, dealer has gone "One No Trump" 
either on first or second round. Second 
hand has responded with two tricks in one 
of the other suits, of which third hand holds 
little or nothing. Even with something 
in the other suits, he runs a risk in helping 
his partner with "Two No Trumps." The 
lead will come from the previous declarer, 
if he is left with this contract, and it is cer- 



54 A B C of Auction Bridge 

tain to be in the suit of which he is short. 
Dealer may also hold nothing in it, and the 
contract may be defeated before the lead is 
secured. If, on the other hand, third 
player holds good cards in the trump suit 
called, he has to decide whether it is better 
to double it or to support the dealer's call. 
The latter has shown that he possesses fair 
general strength. With third hand's trumps, 
there should be a reasonable prospect of the 
two hands being too much for the two-trick 
contract in the suit declared. 

We may now turn to the policy of those 
who, until the declarations are completed, 
may be termed the opposition. 

SECOND HAND 
We now come to the second hand, or the 
dealer's first opponent. Supposing that 
the dealer has passed, the second hand is 
now in the position the dealer occupied; 
consequently unless he, the second hand, 
has a strong bid it is his duty to give his 



A B C of Auction Bridge 55 

partner (the fourth hand) as full informa- 
tion as possible and show his strength, if 
any, always remembering that it is much 
better to declare a suit though short numer- 
ically, if it has the highest honors, rather 
than one having length and weak high 
cards. 

By the dealer's passing, the second hand 
may take a slight liberty in calling a "No 
Trump" without necessarily being quite 
as strong as he would like, knowing that 
besides the thirteen cards he holds, most 
of the strength of the cards out should 
be divided between the third and fourth 
hands. 

This supposition is a natural one, although 
in some instances the second hand will 
find that the dealer has passed a strong 
hand with the object of getting his oppo- 
nents into trouble by giving them the im- 
pression that, owing to his having passed, he 
is very weak. 

Supposing that the dealer has declared 



56 A B C of Auction Bridge 

"One No Trump" and second hand holds 
sufficient strength in Clubs or Diamonds to 
warrant his believing two odd tricks; if he 
holds them in such a case it is strongly 
advisable for the second hand to refrain 
from declaring for two sound reasons: 

First: By allowing the "One No Trump" 
of the dealer to stand, the second hand, 
having the lead, may defeat the declara- 
tion or at least prevent his opponent going 
game. 

Second: If the second hand declare his 
Clubs or Diamonds he paves the way to his 
opponents declaring Hearts or Spades 
against them, with disastrous results to 
himself. 

This is a very common mistake made by 
many players even of mature experience, 
and should be carefully avoided. 

Second hand should, therefore, be guided 
by the general strength of his own cards in 
raising a "One No Trump" contract or in 
leaving it alone. If he himself has good 



A B C of Auction Bridge 57 

general cards and a strong suit of Hearts or 
Spades, it is better for him to declare two 
tricks in the latter. What he should not do 
is to double the preceding contract. To do 
so may frighten his opponents into another 
suit in which he may not be able to render 
any help in defeating. And then in calling 
his hand he has told his partner wherein 
lies his strength. But if second hand is in 
doubt, he should leave matters to his part- 
ner. The state of the score must, of course, 
be a consideration. If the dealer can make 
the rubber game on a one-trick contract, 
there is a more cogent reason for trying to 
force him up. The extra loss entailed in 
the event of his succeeding is not of so much 
consideration as the chance of being still 
able to keep the game open. But it must 
be remembered that dealer is quite as ready 
to score heavily in the honor column as to 
win the rubber, and that a double of a light 
two-trick call in a suit is only too likely 
to be the result. 



58 A B C of Auction Bridge 

Another reason for leaving fourth hand 
with the onus of forcing the dealer is that 
in the event of the latter retaining the play 
of the hands, second hand as leader has 
learned which suit to lead up to his partner. 
But with genuine strength himself, he 
should not hesitate to show it. 

I have said little about the play of the 
hands because, once the declaration is 
settled, it does not differ materially from 
ordinary Bridge beyond the fact that more 
information has been given away before a 
commencement is made. There is, never- 
theless, always the necessity of making the 
defeat of the call the primary object. Thus, 
when the contract is to make three or four 
odd tricks, the policy of the opposition 
should be to secure every available trick at 
the earliest opportunity, and not to finesse 
with a view to winning more tricks than are 
necessary for the purpose. If these can be 
made, so much the better, but no great 
risks should be taken. So in opening, 



A B C of Auction Bridge 59 

second hand should make his high cards 
early, and lead up to any suit in which his 
partner has shown himself to hold strength. 
There is no need to lead him a trump if he 
has doubled a suit declaration, as he is 
probably relying largely upon strength in 
other suits. 

FOURTH HAND 
He is in the most enviable position of all, 
inasmuch as he has at the start the best 
opportunity of studying the composition of 
the other hands. When a high call has 
been made, it devolves mainly on him to 
put on the pressure. We have seen that 
second hand should use some caution in 
bidding too freely, but his partner may dis- 
play a more sporting spirit, short, of course, 
of courting certain disaster. Again, it may 
often be advisable to make a somewhat 
slender call in order to inform second hand 
of the suit he wishes led. Still, the danger 
of being doubled should always be kept in 



60 A B C of Auction Bridge 

view. It is in the initial stages that fourth 
hand may take some liberty. 

The advice as to overcalling one's partner 
applies equally to fourth hand, and should 
invariably be done without hesitation. 
The information thus conveyed is invalu- 
able, and the principle of forcing up the 
opposition is served at the same time. But 
in all cases he should be guided by the calls 
that have been made and use this knowl- 
edge with discretion, always watching his 
opportunity of leaving the opposition in 
with a risky call. 

SUMMARY OF THE BIDDING 
It can readily be seen that the position of 
the dealer and second hand is analogous, 
namely, that unless they have an aggressive 
declaration and one which with an average 
break of cards or luck they can make game, 
their duty lies in giving their respective 
partner the most correct information as to 
their own hand, so that from information so 



A B C of Auction Bridge 61 

given the partner may be justified in assum- 
ing an attacking or defensive attitude. 

SCORING 

The score should always be kept on the 
table in plain view of each player. The 
old system of scoring, above and below 
the line, while still used by a great many 
players and in many clubs, is gradually 
being done away with, as it is too lengthy 
and liable to errors in addition, and the 
following method, showing the net result 
of each game, is taking its place. 



62 



A B C of Auction Bridge 



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A B C of Auction Bridge 



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64 A B C of Auction Bridge 

THE PENALTY FOR COMMON OF- 
FENSES 

New Deal. — If a card is exposed during 
the deal. 

If a declaration is made out of turn. 

If a double is made out of turn. 

If the cards are misdealt. 

If a player holds 14 cards. 

Revokes. — By declarer, 100 points in the 
honor column. 

By adversary, 3 tricks or 100 points in 
the honor column; and subsequent revokes 
in the same hand by either declarer or ad- 
versary, 100 points in .honor column. 

Dummy cannot revoke. 

Exposed Cards: — If a card is exposed 
during a deal, there -must be a new deal. 

If a card is exposed after the deal is com- 
pleted and before bidding is ended, the 
partner cannot bid or lead the suit of card 
exposed and the card may be called. 

If a card is exposed after the bidding is 



A B C o] Auction Bridge 65 

completed and before the right person 
leads, such card may be called, and if third 
hand exposes the suit, cannot be led. 

If declarer exposes a card during play 
there is no penalty. 

If adversary exposes a card during play 
that card may be called. 

If the declarer leads out of turn there is 
no penalty. 

If an adversary leads out of turn the card 

may be treated as exposed or a lead called. 

A player is liable for a revoke if he plays 

with less than 13 cards or plays 2 cards to a 

trick. 

If a player makes a declaration that is 
not sufficient he must make that declara- 
tion sufficient, and his partner cannot take 
him out unless the dealer's adversary ad- 
vances his bid or doubles. 

If dummy makes any suggestion as to 
play, the same may be required or not al- 
lowed by adversaries. 

If declarer touches a card in dummy, 



66 A B C of Auction Bridge 

either adversary may compel him to play 
same, without consultation. 

If an adversary of the declarer call the 
attention of his partner to a trick, that 
partner may be required by the declarer to 
play his highest or lowest card of the suit 
led to that trick. 



THE LAWS OF AUCTION 

AS ADOPTED BY 

THE WHIST CLUB 

TOGETHER WITH THE 

ETIQUETTE OF THE GAME 



Copyright, 1915, by The Whist Club, 
New York. 



THE RUBBER 

1. A rubber continues until one side 
wins two games. When the first two games 
decide the rubber, a third is not played. 

SCORING 

2. Each side has a trick score and a score 
for all other counts, generally known as the 
honor score. In the trick score the only 
entries made are points for tricks won (see 
Law 3), which count both toward the game 
and in the total of the rubber. 

67 



68 The Laws of Auction 

All other points, including honors, pen- 
alties, slam, little slam, and undertricks, 
are recorded in the honor score, which 
counts only in the total of the rubber. 

3. When the declarer wins the number of 
tricks bid or more, each above six counts 
on the trick score: six points when Clubs 
are trumps, seven when Diamonds are 
trumps, eight when Hearts are trumps, 
nine when Spades are trumps, and ten when 
the declaration is "No Trump." 

4. A game consists of thirty points made 
by tricks alone. Every deal is played out, 
whether or not during it the game be con- 
cluded, and any points made (even if in 
excess of thirty) are counted. 

5. The Ace, King, Queen, Knave, and 
Ten of the trump suit are the honors; when 
"No Trump" is declared, the Aces are the 
honors. 

6. Honors are credited to the original 
holders; they are valued as follows: 



The Laws of Auction 69 

WHEN A TRUMP IS DECLARE* 

3* honors held between partners equal value of 2 tricks. 



4 






4 


5 


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4 


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hand 

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-j partner's > 


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10 



WHEN NO TRUMP IS DECLARED 

3 aces held between partners count 30 

4 40 
4 " "in one hand " 100 

7. Slam is made when partners take 
thirteen tricks. | It counts ioo points in 
the honor score. 

8. Little slam is made when partners 
take twelve tricks. J It counts 50 points 
in the honor score. 

* Frequently called "simple honors." 

f Law 84 prohibits a revoking side from scoring 
slam, and provides that tricks received by the de- 
clarer as penalty for a revoke shall not entitle him to 
a slam not otherwise obtained. . 

% Law 84 prohibits a revoking side from scoring little 
slam, and provides that tricks received by the declarer 
as penalty for a revoke shall not entitle him to a little 
slam not otherwise obtained. When a declarer bids 
7 and takes twelve tricks he counts 50 for little slam, 
although his declaration fails. 



70 The Laws of Auction 

9. The value of honors, slam, or little 
slam is not affected by doubling or re- 
doubling. 

10. At the end of a rubber the side that 
has won two games scores a bonus of 250 
points. 

The trick, honor, and bonus scores of 
each side are then added, and the size of 
the rubber is the difference between the 
respective totals. 

The side having the higher score wins 
the rubber. 

11. When a rubber is started with the 
agreement that the play shall terminate 
(i. e., no new deal shall commence) at a 
specified time, and the rubber is unfinished 
at that hour, the score is made up as it 
stands, 125 being added to the score of the 
winners of a game. A deal if started must 
be finished. 

12. A proved error in the honor score 
may be corrected at any time before the 



The Laws of Auction 71 

score of the rubber has been made up and 
agreed upon. 

13. A proved error in the trick score 
may be corrected at any time before a dec- 
laration has been made in the following 
game, or, if it occur in the final game of the 
rubber, before the score has been made up 
and agreed upon. 

CUTTING 

14. In cutting, the Ace is the lowest card; 
between cards of otherwise equal value the 
Spade is the lowest, the Heart next, the 
Diamond next, and the Club the highest. 

15. Every player must cut from the 
same pack. 

16. Should a player expose more than 
one card, the highest is his cut. 

FORMING TABLES 

17. Those first in the room have the 
prior right to play. Candidates of equal 



72 The Laws of Auction 

standing decide their order by cutting; 
those who cut lowest play first. 

1 8. Six players constitute a complete 
table. 

19. After the table has been formed, the 
players cut to decide upon partners, the 
two lower play against the two higher. 
The lowest is the dealer, who has choice of 
cards and seats, and, having made his se- 
lection, must abide by it.* 

20. The right to succeed players as they 
retire is acquired by announcing the desire 
to do so, and such announcements, in the 
order made, entitle candidates to fill va- 
cancies as they occur. 

CUTTING OUT 

21. If, at the end of a rubber, admission 
be claimed by one or two candidates, the 
player or players who have played the 
greatest number of consecutive rubbers 

* He may consult his partner before making his 
decision. 



The Laws of Auction 73 

withdraw; when all have played the same 
number, they cut to decide upon the out- 
goers; the highest are out.* 

RIGHT OF ENTRY 

22. At the end of a rubber a candidate 
is not entitled to enter a table unless he de- 
clare his intention before any player cut, 
either for partners, for a new rubber, or for 
cutting out. 

23. In the formation of new tables can- 
didates who have not played at an existing 
table have the prior right of entry. Others 
decide their right to admission by cutting. 

24. When one or more players belonging 
to an existing table aid in making up a new 
one, which cannot be formed without him or 
them, he or they shall be the last to cut out. 

25. A player belonging to one table who 
enters another, or announces a desire to do 
so, forfeits his rights at his original table, 
unless the new table cannot be formed with- 

* §ee Law 14 as to value of cards in cutting. 



74 The Laws of Auction 

out him, in which case he may retain his 
position at his original table by announcing 
his intention to return as soon as his place 
at the new table can be filled. 

26. Should a player leave a table during 
the progress of a rubber, he may, with the 
consent of the three others, appoint a sub- 
stitute to play during his absence; but such 
appointment becomes void upon the con- 
clusion of the rubber, and does not in any 
way affect the rights of the substitute. 

27. If a player break up a table, the 
others have a prior right of entry elsewhere. 

SHUFFLING 

28. The pack must not be shuffled below 
the table nor so the face of any card can 
be seen. 

29. The dealer's partner must collect the 
cards from the preceding deal and has the 
right to shuffle first. Each player has 
the right to shuffle subsequently. The 
dealer has the right to shuffle last, but 



The Laws of Auction 75 

should a card or cards be seen during his 
shuffling or while giving the pack to be cut, 
he must reshuffle. 

30. After shuffling, the cards, properly 
collected, must be placed face downward to 
the left of the next dealer, where they must 
remain untouched until the end of the cur- 
rent deal. 

THE DEAL 

31. Players deal in turn; the order of 
dealing is to the left. 

32. Immediately before the deal, the 
player on the dealer's right cuts, so that 
each pocket contains at least four cards. 
If, in or after cutting, and prior to the be- 
ginning of the deal, a card be exposed, or 
if any doubt exist as to the place of the 
cut, the dealer must reshuffle and the same 
player must cut again. 

33. After the pack has been properly cut, 
it should not be reshuffled or recut except 
as provided in Law 32. 

34. Should the dealer shuffle after the 



76 The Laws of Auction 

cut, his adversaries may also shuffle and 
the pack must be cut again. 

35. The fifty- two cards must be dealt 
face downward. The deal is completed 
when the last card is dealt. 

36. In the event of a misdeal, the same 
pack must be dealt again by the same 
player. 

A NEW DEAL 

37. There must be a new deal: 

(a) If the cards be not dealt, beginning at the 

dealer's left into four packets one at a time 
and in regular rotation. 

(b) If, during a deal, or during the play, the pack 

be proved incorrect. 

(c) If, during a deal, any. card be faced in the pack 

or exposed, on, above, or below the table. 

(d) If more than thirteen cards be dealt to any 

player.* 

(e) If the last card does not come in its regular 

order to the dealer. 
(/) If the dealer omit having the pack cut, deal 
out of turn or with the adversaries' cards, 
and either adversary call attention to the 
fact before the end of the deal and before 
looking at any of his cards. 

* This error, whenever discovered, renders a new deal 
necessary. 



The Laws of Auction 77 

38. Should a correction of any offence 
mentioned in 37 (/) * ot be made in time, or 
should an adversary who has looked at any 
of his cards be the first to call attention to 
the error, the deal stands, and the game 
proceeds as if the deal had been correct, 
the player to the left dealing the next. 
When the deal has been with the wrong 
cards, the next dealer may take whichever 
pack he prefers. 

39. If, prior to the cut for the following 
deal, a pack be proved incorrect, the deal is 
void, but all prior scores stand.* 

The pack is not incorrect when a missing 
card or cards are found in the other pack, 
among the quitted tricks, below the table, 
or in any other place which makes it pos- 
sible that such card or cards were part of 
the pack during the deal. 

40. Should three players have their 
proper number of cards, the fourth, less, 

* A correct pack contains exactly fifty-two cards, 
one of each denomination. 



78 The Laws of Auction 

the missing card or cards, if found, belong 
to him, and he, unless dummy, is answer- 
able for any established revoke or revokes 
he may have made just as if the missing 
card or cards had been continuously in his 
hand. When a card is missing, any player 
may search the other pack, the quitted 
tricks, or elsewhere for it.f 

If before, during, or at the conclusion of 
play one player hold more than the proper 
number of cards, and another less, the deal 
is void. 

41. A player may not cut, shuffle, or deal 
for his partner if either adversary object. 

41a. A player may not lift from the 
table and look at any of his cards until 
the. end of the deal. The penalty for the 
violation of this law is 25 points in the 
adverse honor score for each card so ex- 
amined. 

f The fact that a deal is concluded without any claim 
of irregularity shall be deemed as conclusive that such 
card was part of the pack during the deal. 



The Laws of Auction 79 

THE DECLARATION 

42. The dealer, having examined his 
hand, must either pass or declare to win 
at least one odd trick,* either with a speci- 
fied suit, or at "No Trump." 

43. The dealer having declared or passed, 
each player in turn, beginning on the dealer's 
left, must pass, make a higher declaration, 
double the last declaration made by an 
opponent, or redouble an opponent's double, 
subject to the provisions of Law 54. 

44. When all four players pass their first 
opportunity to declare, the deal passes to 
the next player. 

45. The order in value of declarations 
from the lowest up is Clubs, Diamonds, 
Hearts, Spades, No Trump. 

To overcall a declaration, a player must 
bid either 

(a) An equal number of tricks of a more valuable 

declaration, or 

(b) A greater number of tricks. 

* One trick more than six. 



80 The Laws of Auction 

E. g., 3 spades over 3 diamonds; 5 clubs 
over 4 hearts; 4 diamonds over 3 no trump. 

46. A player in his turn may overbid the 
previous adverse declaration any number 
of times, and may also overbid his partner, 
but he cannot overbid his own declaration 
which has been passed by the three others. 

47. The player who makes the final dec- 
laration* must play the combined hands, 
his partner becoming dummy, unless the 
suit or "No Trump " finally declared was 
bid by the partner before it was called by 
the final declarer, in which case the partner, 
no matter what bids have intervened, must 
play the combined hands. 

48. When the player of the two hands 
(hereinafter termed "the declarer") wins 
at least as many tricks as he declared, he 
scores the full value of the tricks won (see 
Law 3).f 

* A declaration becomes final when it has been 
passed by three players. 

t For amount scored by declarer, if doubled, see 
Laws 53 and 56. 



The Laws of Auction 81 

48a. When the declarer fails to win as 
many tricks as he declares, neither he nor 
his adversaries score anything toward the 
game, but his adversaries score in their 
honor column 50 points for each undertrick 
(i. e., each trick short of the number de- 
clared). If the declaration be doubled, the 
adversaries score 100 points; if redoubled, 
200 points for each undertrick. 

49. If a player make a declaration (other 
than passing) out of turn, either adversary 
may demand a new deal, may treat such 
declaration as void, or may allow such 
declaration to stand. In the latter case 
the bidding shall continue as if the dec- 
larations had been in turn. A pass out 
of turn, or a bid declared void does not 
affect the order of bidding, i, e., it is still 
the turn of the player to the left of the 
previous declarer. The player who has 
bid out of turn may re-enter the bidding 
in his proper turn without penalty, but 
if he has passed out of his turn, he may only 



8 2 The Laws of Auction 

do so in case the declaration he has passed 
be overbid or doubled. 

If a declaration out of turn be made and 
the proper declarer then bid, such bid shall 
be construed as an election that the decla- 
ration out of turn is to be treated as void. 

50. If a player make an insufficient dec- 
laration, either adversary may demand that 
it be made sufficient in the declaration 
named, in which case the partner of the 
declarer may not further declare unless an 
adversary subsequently bid or double. 

50a. If a player who has been debarred 
from bidding under Laws 50 or 65, during 
the period of such prohibition, make any 
declaration (other than passing), either ad- 
versary may decide whether such declara- 
tion stand, and neither the offending player 
nor his partner may further participate in 
the bidding even if the adversaries double 
or declare. 

50&. A penalty for a declaration out of 
turn (see Law 49), an insufficient dec- 



The Laws of Auction 83 

laration (see Law 50), or a bid when pro- 
hibited (see Law 50a) may not be en- 
forced if either adversary pass, double, or 
declare before the penalty be demanded.* 

50c. Laws which give to either adversary 
the right to enforce a penalty, do not per- 
mit unlimited consultation. Either ad- 
versary may call attention to the offence 
and select the penalty, or may say, " Part- 
ner, you determine the penalty," or words 
to that effect. Any other consultation 
is prohibited, f and if it take place the 
right to demand any penalty is lost. The 
first decision made by either adversary is 
final and cannot be altered. 

51. At any time during the declaration a 
question asked by a player concerning any 
previous bid must be answered, but, after 

* When the penalty for an insufficient declaration 
is not demanded, the bid over which it was made may 
be repeated unless some higher bid has intervened. 

* t The question, "Partner, will you select the penalty, 
or shall I?" is a form of consultation which is not per- 
mitted. 



84 The Laws of Auction 

the final declaration has been accepted, if 
an adversary of the declarer inform his 
partner regarding any previous declaration, 
the declarer may call a lead from the ad- 
versary whose next turn it is to lead. If 
the dummy give such information to the 
declarer, either adversary of the declarer 
may call a lead when it is the next turn 
of the declarer to lead from either hand. 
A player, however, at any time may ask 
what declaration is being played and the 
question must be answered. 

52. A pass or double once made may 
not be altered. 

No declaration may be altered after the 
next player acts. 

Before action by the next player a no 
trump or suit declaration may be changed 

(a) To correct the amount of an insufficient bid. 

(b) To correct the denomination but not the size 

of a bid in which, due to a lapsus lingua, 
a suit or no trump has been called which 
the declarer did not intend to name. 

No other alteration may be made. 



The Laws of Auction 85 

DOUBLING AND REDOUBLING 

53. Doubling and redoubling doubles 
and quadruples the value of each trick over 
six, but it does not alter the value of a 
declaration; e. g., a declaration of " Three 
Clubs" is higher than "Two Spades" 
doubled or redoubled. 

54. Any declaration may be doubled and 
redoubled once, but not more; a player 
may not double his partner's declaration, 
nor redouble his partner's double, but 
he may redouble a declaration of his 
partner which has been doubled by an 
adversary. 

The penalty for redoubling more than 
once is 100 points in the adverse honor 
score or a new deal; for doubling a partner's 
declaration, or redoubling a partner's 
double it is 50 points in the adverse 
honor score. Either adversary may de- 
mand any penalty enforceable under this 
law. 



86 The Laws of A uction 

55. Doubling or redoubling reopens the 
bidding. When a declaration has been 
doubled or redoubled, any one of the three 
succeeding players, including the player 
whose declaration has been doubled, may, 
in his proper turn, make a further declara- 
tion of higher value. 

56. When a player whose declaration has 
been doubled wins the declared number of 
tricks, he scores a bonus of 50 points in his 
honor score, and a further 50 points for 
each additional trick. When he or his 
partner has redoubled, he scores 100 points 
for making the contract and an additional 
100 for each extra trick. 

57. A double or redouble is a declaration, 
and a player who doubles or redoubles out 
of turn is subject to the penalty provided 
by Law 49. 

58. After the final declaration has been 
accepted, the play begins; the player on the 
left of the declarer leads. 



The Laws of Auction &7 

DUMMY* 

59. As soon as the player on the left of 
the declarer leads, the declarer's partner 
places his cards face upward on the table, 
and the declarer plays the cards from that 
hand. 

60. The partner of the declarer has all 
the rights of a player (including the right 
to call attention to a lead from the wrong 
hand), until his cards are placed face up- 
ward on the table. f He then becomes the 
dummy, and takes no part whatever in the 
play, except that he has the right: 

(a) To call the declarer's attention to the fact that 

too many or too few cards have been played 
to a trick; 

(b) to correct an improper claim of either ad- 

versary; 

(c) to call attention to a trick erroneously taken 

by either side; 

(d) to participate in the discussion of any dis- 

puted question of fact after it has arisen 
between the declarer and either adversary; 

* For additional laws affecting dummy, see 51 and 93. 
t The penalty is determined by the declarer (see 
Law 66). 



88 The Laws of Auction 

(e) to correct an erroneous score; 

(/) to consult with and advise the declarer as to 

which penalty to exact for a revoke; 
(g) to ask the declarer whether he have any of a 

suit he has renounced. 

The dummy, if he have not intentionally 
looked at any card in the hand of a player, 
has also the following additional rights: 

(h) To call the attention of the declarer to an es- 
tablished adverse revoke; 

(i) to call the attention of the declarer to a card 
exposed by an adversary or to an adverse 
lead out of turn. 

61. Should the dummy call attention to 
any other incident in the play in conse- 
quence of which any penalty might have 
been exacted, the declarer may not exact 
such penalty. Should the dummy avail 
himself of rights (h) or (i), after intention- 
ally looking at a card in the hand of a 
player, the declarer may not exact any pen- 
alty for the offence in question. 

62. If the dummy, by touching a card or 
otherwise, suggest the play of one of his 



The Laws of Auction 89 

cards, either adversary may require the de- 
clarer to play or not to play such card. 

62a. If the dummy call to the attention 
of the declarer that he is about to lead 
from the wrong hand, either adversary 
may require that the lead be made from 
that hand. 

63. Dummy is not subject to the revoke 
penalty; if he revoke and the error be not 
discovered until the trick be turned and 
quitted, whether by the rightful winners or 
not, the revoke may not be corrected. 

64. A card from the declarer's hand is 
not played until actually quitted, but 
should he name or touch a card in the 
dummy, such card is played unless he say, 
"I arrange," or words to that effect. If 
he simultaneously touch two or more such 
cards, he may elect which to play. 

CARDS EXPOSED BEFORE PLAY 

65. After the deal and before the decla- 
ration has been finally determined, if any 



90 The Laws of Auction 

player lead or expose a card, his partner 
may not thereafter bid or double during 
that declaration,* and the card, if it be- 
long to an adversary of the eventual de- 
clarer, is subject to call.f When the part- 
ner of the offending player is the original 
leader, the declarer may also prohibit the 
initial lead of the suit of the exposed card. 

66. After the final declaration has been 
accepted and before the lead, if the partner 
of the proper leader expose or lead a card, 
the declarer may treat it as exposed or may 
call a suit from the proper leader. A card 
exposed by the leader, after the final dec- 
laration and before the lead, is subject to 
call. 

CARDS EXPOSED DURING PLAY 

67. After the original lead, all cards 
exposed by the declarer's adversaries are 

* See Law 50a. 

t If more than one card be exposed, all may be 
called, 



The Laws of Auction 91 

liable to be called and must be left face 
upward on the table. 

68. The following are exposed cards: 

(1) Two or more cards played simultaneously; 

(2) a card dropped face upward on the table, even 

though snatched up so quickly that it can- 
not be named; 

(3) a card so held by a player that his partner sees 

any portion of its face; 

(4) a card mentioned by either adversary as being 

held in his or his partner's hand. 

69. A card dropped on the floor or else- 
where below the table, or so held that it is 
seen by an adversary but not by the part- 
ner, is not an exposed card. 

70. Two or more cards played simul- 
taneously by either of the declarer's ad- 
versaries give the declarer the right to call 
any one of such cards to the current trick 
and to treat the other card or cards as 
exposed. 

70a. Should an adversary of the declarer 
expose his last card before his partner play 
to the twelfth trick, the two cards in his 



92 The Laws of Auction 

partner's hand become exposed, must be 
laid face upward on the table, and are sub- 
ject to call. 

71. If, without waiting for his partner to 
play, either of the declarer's adversaries 
play or lead a winning card, as against the 
declarer and dummy, and continue (with- 
out waiting for his partner to play) to lead 
several such cards, the declarer may de- 
mand that the partner of the player in 
fault win, if he can, the first or any other 
of these tricks. The other cards thus im- 
properly played are exposed. 

72. If either or both of the declarer's ad- 
versaries throw his or their cards face up- 
ward on the table, such cards are exposed 
and liable to be called; but if either adver- 
sary retain his hand, he cannot be forced 
to abandon it. Cards exposed by the de- 
clarer are not liable to be called. If the 
declarer say, "I have the rest," or any 
words indicating the remaining tricks or 
any number thereof are his, he may be re- 



The Laws of Auction 93 

quired to place his cards face upward on the 
table. He is not then allowed to call any 
cards his adversaries may have exposed, 
nor to take any finesse not previously 
proved a winner unless he announce it 
when making his claim. 

73. If a player who has rendered himself 
liable to have the highest or lowest of a suit 
called (Laws 80, 86, and 92) fail to play as 
directed, or if, when called on to lead one 
suit, he lead another, having in his hand 
one or more cards of the suit demanded 
(Laws 66, 76, and 93), or if, when called 
upon to win or lose a trick, he fail to do so 
when he can (Laws 71, 80, and 92), or if, 
when called upon not to play a suit, he fail 
to play as directed (Laws 65 and 66), he is 
liable to the penalty for revoke (Law 84) 
unless such play be corrected before the 
trick be turned and quitted. 

74. A player cannot be compelled to 
play a card which would oblige him to 
revoke. 



94 The Laws of Auction 

75. The call of an exposed card may be 
repeated until it be played. 

LEADS OUT OF TURN 

76. If either adversary of the declarer 
lead out of turn, the declarer may either 
treat the card so led as exposed or may call 
a suit as soon as it is the turn of either ad- 
versary to lead. Should they lead simul- 
taneously, the lead from the proper hand 
stands, and the other card is exposed. 

77. If the declarer lead out of turn, either 
from his own hand or dummy, he incurs no 
penalty, but he may not rectify the error 
unless directed to do so by an adversary.* 
If the second hand play, the lead is ac- 
cepted. 

78. If an adversary of the declarer lead 
out of turn, and the declarer follow either 
from his own hand or dummy, the trick 

* The rule in Law 50c as to consultations governs 
the right of adversaries to consult as to whether such 
direction be given. 



The Laws of Auction 95 

stands. If the declarer before playing re- 
fuse to accept the lead, the leader may be 
penalized as provided in Law 76. 

79. If a player called on to lead a suit 
have none of it, the penalty is paid. 

CARDS PLAYED IN ERROR 

80. Should the fourth hand, not being 
dummy or declarer, play before the second,, 
the latter may be required to play his high- 
est or lowest card of the suit led, or to win 
or lose the trick. In such case, if the sec- 
ond hand be void of the suit led, the de- 
clarer in lieu of any other penalty may call 
upon the second hand to play the highest 
card of any designated suit. If he name a 
suit of which the second hand is void, the 
penalty is paid.* 

81. If any one, except dummy, omit 
playing to a trick, and such error be not 

* Should the declarer play third hand before the 
second hand, the fourth hand may without penalty 
play before his partner. 



96 The Laws of Auction 

corrected until he has played to the next, 
the adversaries or either of them may 
claim a new deal; should either decide that 
the deal stand, the surplus card (at the end 
of the hand) is considered played to the im- 
perfect trick, but does not constitute a re- 
voke therein.* 

82. When anyone, except dummy, plays 
two or more cards to the same trick and the 
mistake is not corrected, he is answerable 
for any consequent revokes he may make. 
When the error is detected during the play, 
the tricks may be counted face downward* 
to see if any contain more than four cards; 
should this be the case, the trick which con- 
tains a surplus card or cards may be ex- 
amined and such card or cards restored to 
the original holder. f 

* As to the right of adversaries to consult, see Law 
50c. 

f Either adversary may decide which card shall be 
considered played to the trick which contains more 
than four cards. 



The Laws of Auction 97 

THE REVOKE* 

83. A revoke occurs when a player, other 
than dummy, holding one or more cards of 
the suit led, plays a card of a different suit. 
It becomes an established revoke when the 
trick in which it occurs is turned and quitted 
by the rightful winners (i. e., the hand re- 
moved from the trick after it has been 
turned face downward on the table), or 
when either the revoking player or his 
partner, whether in turn or otherwise, leads 
or plays to the following trick. 

84. The penalty for each established re- 
voke is: 

(a) When the declarer revokes, he cannot score for 

tricks and his adversaries add ioo points to 
their score in the honor column, in addition 
to any penalty which he may have incurred 
for not making good his declaration. 

(b) When either of the adversaries revokes, the 

declarer may either add ioo points to his 
score in the honor column or take three 
tricks from his opponents and add them 

* See Law 73. 



98 The Laws of Auction 

to his own.* Such tricks may assist the 
declarer to make good his declaration, 
but shall not entitle him to score any 
bonus in the honor column in case the 
declaration has been doubled or redoubled, 
nor to a slam or little slam not otherwise 
obtained, f 
(c) When, during the play of a deal, more than 
one revoke is made by the same side, the 
penalty for each revoke after the first is 
100 points. 



The value of their honors is the only- 
score that can be made by a revoking side. 

85. A player may ask his partner if he 
have a card of the suit which he has re- 
nounced; should the question be asked 
before the trick be turned and quitted, sub- 
sequent turning and quitting does not es- 
tablish a revoke, and the error may be 
corrected unless the question be answered 
in the negative, or unless the revoking 

* The dummy may advise the declarer which penalty 
to exact. 

t The value of the three tricks, doubled or redoubled, 
as the case may be, is counted in the trick score. 



The Laws of Auction 99 

player or his partner have led or played 
to the following trick. 

850. Should the dummy leave the table 
during the play, he may ask his adversaries 
to protect him from revokes during his ab- 
sence; such protection is generally called 
"the courtesies of the table" or "the cour- 
tesies due an absentee.' ' 

If he make such request the penalty may 
not be enforced for a revoke made by the 
declarer during the dummy's absence unless 
in due season an adversary have asked the 
declarer whether he have a card of the suit 
he has renounced. 

86. If a player correct his mistake in 
time to save a revoke, any player or players 
who have followed him may withdraw his 
or their cards and substitute others, and 
the cards so withdrawn are not exposed. 
If the player in fault be one of the declarer's 
adversaries, the card played in error is ex- 
posed, and the declarer may call it when- 
ever he pleases, or he may require the of- 



ioo The Laws of Auction 

fender to play his highest or lowest card 
of the suit to the trick. 

86a. If the player in fault be the declarer, 
either adversary may require him to play 
the highest or lowest card of the suit in 
which he has renounced, provided both 
his adversaries have played to the current 
trick; but this penalty may not be ex- 
acted from the declarer when he is fourth 
in hand, nor can it be enforced at all from 
the dummy. 

87. At the end of the play the claim- 
ants of a revoke may search all the tricks. 
If the cards have been mixed, the claim 
may be urged and proved if possible; but 
no proof is necessary and the claim is es- 
tablished if, after it is made, the accused 
player or his partner mix the cards before 
they have been sufficiently examined by 
the adversaries. 

88. A revoke cannot be claimed after 
the cards have been cut for the following 
deal. 



The Laws of Auction 101 

89. Should both sides revoke, the only 
score permitted is for honors. In such 
case, if one side revoke more than once, 
the penalty of 100 points for each extra 
revoke is scored by the other side. 

GENERAL LAWS 

90. A trick turned and quitted may not 
be looked at (except under Law 82) until 
the end of the play. The penalty for the 
violation of this law is 25 points in the 
adverse honor score. 

91. Any player during the play of a 
trick or after the four cards are played, 
and before the trick is turned and quitted, 
may demand that the cards be placed be- 
fore their respective players. 

92. When an adversary of the declarer, 
before his partner plays, calls attention to 
the trick, either by saying it is his, or, with- 
out being requested to do so, by naming his 
card or drawing it toward him, the de- 
clarer may require such partner to play his 



102 The Laws of Auction 

highest or lowest card of the suit led, or to 
win or lose the trick. 

93. An adversary of the declarer may 
call his partner's attention to the fact that 
he is about to play or lead out of turn; 
but if, during the play, he make any un- 
authorized reference to any incident of 
the play, the declarer may call a suit from 
the adversary whose next turn it is to 
lead. If the dummy similarly offend, either 
adversary may call a lead when it is the 
next turn of the declarer to lead from 
either hand. 

94. In all cases where a penalty has been 
incurred, the offender is bound to give rea- 
sonable time for the decision of his ad- 
versaries. 

NEW CARDS 

95. Unless a pack be imperfect, no player 
has the right to call for one new pack. 
When fresh cards are demanded, two packs 
must be furnished. When they are pro- 



The Laws of Auction 103 

duced during a rubber, the adversaries of 
the player demanding them have the 
choice of the new cards. If it be the begin- 
ning of a new rubber, the dealer, whether 
he or one of his adversaries call for the new 
cards, has the choice. New cards cannot 
be substituted after the pack has been cut 
for a new deal. 

96. A card or cards torn or marked must 
be replaced by agreement or new cards 
furnished. 

BYSTANDERS 

97. While a bystander, by agreement 
among the players, may decide any ques- 
tion, he should not say anything unless ap- 
pealed to; and if he make any remark which 
calls attention to an oversight affecting 
the score, or to the exaction of a penalty, 
he is liable to be called upon by the players 
to pay the stakes (not extras) lost. 



104 The Laws of Auction 

ETIQUETTE OF AUCTION 

In the game of Auction slight intima- 
tions convey much information. The code 
succinctly states laws which fix penalties 
for an offence. To offend against etiquette 
is far more serious than to offend against a 
law; for in the latter case the offender is 
subject to the prescribed penalties; in the 
former his adversaries are without re- 
dress. 

i. Declarations should be made in a sim- 
ple* manner, thus: "one heart," "one no 
trump," "pass," "double"; they should be 
made orally and not by gesture. 

2. Aside from his legitimate declaration, 
a player should not show by word or ges- 
ture the nature of his hand, or his pleasure 
or displeasure at a play, bid, or double. 

3. If a player demand that the cards be 
placed, he should do so for his own infor- 
mation and not to call his partner's atten- 
tion to any card or play. 



The Laws of A action 105 

4. An opponent of the declarer should 
not lead until the preceding trick has been 
turned and quitted ; nor, after having led a 
winning card, should he draw another from 
his hand before his partner has played to 
the current trick. 

5. A card should not be played with such 
emphasis as to draw attention to it, nor 
should a player detach one card from his 
hand and subsequently play another. 

6. A player should not purposely incur a 
penalty because he is willing to pay it, nor 
should he make a second revoke to conceal 
a first. 

7. Conversation during the play should 
be avoided, as it may annoy players at the 
table or at other tables in the room. 

8. The dummy should not leave his seat 
to watch his partner play. He should not 
call attention to the score nor to any card 
or cards that he or the other players hold. 

9. If a player say, "I have the rest," or 
any words indicating that the remaining 



106 The Laws of Auction 

tricks, or any number thereof, are his, and 
one or both of the other players expose his 
or their cards, or request him to play out 
the hand, he should not allow any infor- 
mation so obtained to influence his play. 

10. If a player concede, in error, one or 
more tricks, the concession should stand. 

n. A player having been cut out of one 
table should not seek admission in another 
unless willing to cut for the privilege of 
entry. 



